By: Kadijatu Bangura, Reporter D.S
Alhaji Abu Koroma, the National Coordinator of Corruption Watch Sierra Leone, has expressed serious concerns regarding the government’s failure to disburse school subsidies for two academic terms, despite the ongoing free quality education initiative.
Koroma urged the government to fulfill its commitments to support educational institutions, emphasizing the critical need for financial assistance. He revealed that the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE) requires each school to present approval letters confirming their eligibility to operate before any subsidies can be disbursed. These approval letters are issued by the Ministry itself.
Challenging the practicality of this requirement, Koroma pointed out that many schools have been in operation for over a century, raising doubts about their ability to provide such documentation. “Some schools have existed for over ten decades; how can they possibly have their approval letters?” he questioned.
He further highlighted the difficulties faced by district-level branches of the Ministry, which are struggling to produce the necessary approval documents. “If the Ministry in the districts does not have it, then where can the school principals get theirs?” he asked.
Koroma confirmed that the MBSSE has suspended the disbursement of school fees subsidies until schools comply with the requirement for approval letters. He concluded by appealing to the government to reconsider its stance and expedite the payment of the owed subsidies.
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